Tuesday, January 10, 2017

by Kat Birkenbeuel, Development Intern

New Year’s resolutions. We make them. We break them.

Usually, our resolutions center on ourselves- wanting to lose weight, eat healthier, read more, finally get to the end of that to-do list, etc. But what if this year, we shift the focus of our New Year’s resolutions from ourselves? What if we resolve to get out and give back to those in need?

Throughout this blog series, I’ve shared my journey as a philanthropist. This journey started with a lemonade stand when I was 8, carried into high school and college with volunteering and ended up at the McCormick Foundation, but it isn’t over yet. Your journey begins with a shift in mindset, realizing that no matter if you have 50 cents or $50 million, you can still be a philanthropist.

What does this philanthropic New Year’s resolution look like? It looks like a Year of Giving.

Give the gift of time.

Sign up to be a mentor and be a positive role model in the life of an at-risk youth.

Help a small nonprofit with mailings and other administrative tasks.

Do you have special skills? Offer to help under-resourced organizations with photography, videography, copywriting, IT support or accounting.

Check-in on an elderly neighbor, visiting with them and offering to run errands or do a few house chores.

Give the gift of resources.

Instead of selling clothing for a few bucks at a resale shop, donate the clothing items to a local shelter, refugee organization or clothing donation box.

Buy extra school and classroom supplies, or unused materials, and give to a school in a low-income area.